THE TOWER OF THE CANOURGUE

All dressed in schist, this square tower dominates the whole of the French Valley. Its strategic location was put to good use at the beginning of the 13th century and formed one of the links in a network of fortresses installed throughout the valley; its dominant position would have enabled light signals to be sent to other peaks. The site was inhabited and fortified, and served as a refuge throughout the 14th century; archaeological excavations have made it possible to reconstruct its organization. In the 15th century, in less turbulent times, the population deserted it to settle below, in the more welcoming setting of the Plantiers. Only the tower remained, fortunately restored by the Cévennes National Park. It is now the starting point of an observation trail, which leads to the discovery of the panorama and the environment.